Taylors bring livestock to Wyoming Beef Cattle Improvement Association Bull Test

Shoshoni – Though their ranch is based in Vernal, Utah, Caleb Taylor and his grandfather Lyle brought several bulls to the Wyoming Beef Cattle Improvement Association (WBCIA) Bull Test in Shoshoni to test their stock against other from across the state. 

“My grandpa has been raising registered Herefords since 1943,” says Taylor. “He’s 90 now, and still is involved on the ranch. Over the last 10 years, I’ve started to take things over slowly.” 

Family ranch

The family’s Hereford bulls extend from the same bloodlines that started the herd in 1943, and Taylor notes he uses a similar strategy in selecting and breeding bulls to maintain the same quality they’ve seen over the past 75 years. 

“When Herefords started to go out of style in the 1980s, my grandpa tried Salers. That didn’t work, so he got into Red Angus, as well,” he says. “Today, we run registered Red Angus, registered Herefords and a herd of Red Angus-Hereford cross cattle.” 

During the summer months, the herd grazes a U.S. Forest Service permit, which reaches 9,600 feet in elevation.

“Our summer pastures are at almost 10,000 feet, and the Herefords do really well up there. We don’t see brisket disease or high-altitude sickness like other breeds,” Taylor comments. “They run in the rocks, trees and timber, and our bulls always come home looking good.” 

Testing bulls

The Taylor family has consigned bulls to the WBCIA Test for many years, but this year is the first year they brought a Hereford bull to the test. 

“I really like the Hereford bull we brought to WBCIA this year,” Taylor continues. “He stood out coming off of summer pasture and looks really good.” 

With a diversified operation, Taylor says, “We don’t just raise bulls to raise bulls. We have to also like the cows, and they have to do well.”

Utilizing WBCIA’s Bull Test provides real-world proof of a bull’s performance that goes beyond EPDs, Taylor adds. 

“Bull testing gives us real-world information,” he explains. “We have expected progeny differences, which gives us some expectations, but bull testing puts them up against other bulls.”

Taylor Ranches has sent bulls to WBCIA, Midland Bull Test and the Utah Beef Improvement Association Bull Test, noting each test offers a different environment for their bulls to prove themselves. 

“We sent bulls up to Wyoming to scatter them out and see what they can do,” Taylor says. 

Ranching business

For Taylor, ranching is a dream he’s had for many years. 

“Ever since I was a little boy, all I ever wanted to do was follow my grandpa around and watch cows,” he says. “There’s freedom in this livestock that I really enjoy.” 

Taylor adds, ranching isn’t a career choice. Rather, it’s a lifestyle choice. 

“We really have to want to ranch,” Taylor comments. “I’m probably never going to get rich, but I’m always going to enjoy what I do.” 

The family first started selling bulls into Wyoming several years ago on Craig’s List, and they found a lot of interest from Wyoming buyers looking at Hereford bulls. 

“We still have bulls available on the ranch for sale, too,” Taylor says. “We have some nice Hereford bulls to offer anyone who’s interested.” 

Caleb Taylor can be reached at 435-790-2470.

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.